MIRROR
The World Health Organisation has warned that climate change and sexual transmission could be behind two health threats in the coming year.
Looking ahead to 2024 monkey pox, dengue fever and the scourge of covid could all devastating impacts for the vulnerable. Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, an expert on infectious diseases, who leads the WHO’s Department for Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention has spoken about the trio of threats.
Coronavirus
Speaking to Sky News Dr Van Kerkhove has said the uptake for coronavirus vaccines around the world has been “abysmal” and it is therefore no surprise to her that cases are on the rise once again. She says that targeted vaccine programmes for the elderly and vulnerable around the world, like there is for flu would make a marked difference.
“The vaccination coverage in all countries of the at-risk groups is abysmal…for me, this is the biggest frustration. Covid-19 actually has solutions, influenza has solutions, that can prevent severe disease and death. Why aren’t we using them?”
https://twitter.com/mvankerkhove/status/1738213494955163753?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1738213494955163753%7Ctwgr%5Eb2b6e49357acaad5d64690bd0920a0bad06320e1%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mirror.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fhealth%2Fmpox-dengue-fever-covid-among-31753968
Dengue Fever
Mosquitoes carrying diseases such as Dengue Fever, which is an infection currently rare in the UK, could be on the move towards the country. According to the the NHS Dengue Fever symptoms include:
- a high temperature
- a severe headache
- pain behind your eyes
- muscle and joint pain
- feeling or being sick
- swollen glands
- a blotchy rash made up of flat or slightly raised spots – this can affect large areas of your body
Dr Van Kerkhove has warned that by 2040 it could be common in the UK as climate change means mosquitoes are migrating further and further north as our climate gets warmer.
Maria Van Kerkhove on Twitter: “🆕 @WHO #Dengue DONIn 2023, an upsurge in dengue cases has been observed globally, characterized by a significant increase in the number, scale, & simultaneous occurrence of multiple outbreaks, spreading into regions previously unaffected by dengue. https://t.co/iMQl2y2Q22 / Twitter”
🆕 @WHO #Dengue DONIn 2023, an upsurge in dengue cases has been observed globally, characterized by a significant increase in the number, scale, & simultaneous occurrence of multiple outbreaks, spreading into regions previously unaffected by dengue. https://t.co/iMQl2y2Q22
